Vessel indicating and raising apparatus.



B. LMXON." VESSEL I"NDICATING ANU -RMSING APPARATUS.

Patnted Apr. 24, 1917.

-3 SHEETS--SHEET I.

B. F. NlxoN. y VESSEL INDICATING AND RAISING APPARUUS. w

APPLICATION FILED MAY 2. 15H6. u

l Patented Apr.`24, 1917. f.

a'susETs-snt'sr 2.

Wihwom y, Y B. F. NlxoN, VESSEL NDICAUNG AND RAIS'ING APPfRATUs.

APPLlcAmN FILED MAY 2. wie. i

, Patented Apr. 24, 1917.

/rAA

l/Von lUNITED STATES PATEiv OFFICE.

BENJ'IIN FRANKLIN NIXON, 0F WINNIPEG, MANITOBA, CANADA.

VESSEL INDICATING AND RAISING APPRATUS.

Specification of Letters Patent.

cipal object the production of a simple and eliicient means sfordesignating the position iii which the wrecked ship rests upon thebottom of the sea` ocean, or other bod \1 of water.

Another object of this invention is the production a vessel indicating`and raisinf apparatus wherein .siiiiple and etirient guide means isemployed for dirertiufr tho lifting elements downwardl),7 into the interior of the sunken ship'.

`mechanism .mechanism Another object of this invention is the productionof a vessel indicating and raising apparatus wherein a pluralit)r ofJaws are pivotallv mounted upon the deck of the. ship so -as to allowthe lifting elements to pass tlierebeneatli after which the jawsnia)7 heswim-g to' a. 'closed position so as to `grip the elements whereby thesunken ship inav be raised.

With these. and other objects in view this invention. consists ofcertain novel eoinbinations. constructions, and arrangements of parts aswill be hereinafter fulli' described and claimed. u

In the accompanying drawings:

Figure lis an elevation of the vessel indicating and raising apparatus`illustrating;F the. manner in which the saine is used io'r lifting thesunken ship.

Fig. is a fragmentary sidcelevation et a submarine boat, partliY brokenaway. illustratinpr the connectingl and locking mechanisni carriedthereby in elevation and also in section.

Fig. 3 is a top plan view ot' the locking showing the jaws in a closedposition.

Fig. 4 is a top plan view of tbe locking showing the. jaws in an openposition.

Fig. 5 is a side elevation of the locking Patented Apr. 24, 1917.

Application led May 2, 1916. Serial N0.' 94, )81.

mechanism shoving the supporting deck and' housing thercfozin section.

Fig. (i is a se .'tion taken on the line G-6 ot' Fig. 3.

l Fig. 7 is a `.iagiiientai'y sectional view through a porti in of thefloat and connecting cable positi( ned therein. l

Fig. 8 is a fragmentary sectional view through a portion oi. the device,illustratingv the manner 'in v liich the locking bar is ein- ;'ilovedfor norui illvr retaining the' float upon the tioat housingv Fig. 9 is airaginentary sectional. view through the cable rcel `and float housing,illustrating the manner in which the rondoctor wires are connected tothe cable.

Referring to 111e accompanying drawing bv numerals it vill be seen thatthe vessel indicatin; r and raising apparatus has been disclosed hereinin connection with a slibiuarine l, althoitgh it is of course. obviousthat it may be used in connection vwith any other form of a boat orship. The. deck 2 ot the submarine 1 is provided with a nuniber ofopenings formed therein and sup ports thereon the elongated casing 4:4`having an internal l ange 5 formed thereon for sui'iportinpr the c: .p6.

It will be seei by referring particularly to Fig. 2, .that th i cap (lhas a. base 7 formed at a distance from the inner portions of the cap.Upon the bise 'Y there is formed an air tank 8 depending fora..considerable dis 4 tance tlierebelow. The tank housingr t) used inconnection wi th. the air tank S is positioned upon the inner portionsof the suhniai'iiij l soas to engage the lower surface ot the deck 2 asclearly shown in Figs. 2, 5, and- (i. The diagonal braces .10 are.secured tothe under surface of the deck 2 and also to the. tink .housingt) adjacent the lower portions tlrireot' in any suitable. inanncr so asto posit vel)7 retain the tankehousingr in its correct positionpreventingr at 'any time 'its accidental displacement. l'lpoii the lowerportions of this tankjhousing there is carried a cap 11 For closing the,lower (2nd,.

Thus, it will be seen through which the hollow sliaftl is adapted toextend, this shaft also extending through the lower portion of the tankhous- 15 is normally wound.

` mounted upon the. lu

ing 9. vThis 'hollow shaft has the end plaies 14 'carried thereon withinthe tank housingd whereby the shaft 13 and plates 14 will constitute areel upon which the elongated cable This elongated cable 15 is connectedto the eye 16 ot the rivet 17 carried by the lower portions of the airtank 8, so that when the air tank floats upon the surface thecable will,of course, be unwound from the reel above described.

'In case the submarine or other ship accidentally sinks to the bottomone of the air tanks 8 may be released. It is, of course, obvious thatwhen the device is in use in connection with a submarine as hereindisclosed it is necessary to positively lock the air tanks insetositions so as to prevent the same from -v oating when the submarine isrunning subrner ed; Therefore, upon one side of each tank t iene isprovided a lug 16 into which the locking bar 17 normally extends, asshown clearly in Fig. 8. This locking bar has a pin 18 extending throughthe slotted lever 19 which lever is pivotally 20 depending from thelower surface of t 1e deck 2 of the sub# marine. The rer end of thelocking bar 17 v is provided witha head 21 which is adapted toreciprocate within the cylinder 22, which is secured by the blocks 23 orin any other suitable manner to the lower. portions of the deck 2. Thus,it will be seenthat when the' submarine accidentally sinks to the bottomthe lever 19 may be gripped and swung away from the ho'usin 9 therebywithdrawing the locking bar 17 rom the lug 16, thereby releasing the airtank 8. Because of the buo Y- ancy of the cap Gand the air tank 8, itwill be seen that the air tank may immediately rise to the surface,'thuscausingthe cable 15 tb unreel from the cable reel until the air tankreaches thesurface of the water. It is, of course, obviouslthat if sodesired an intake passage may communicate' with the interior oftheforward end of the cylinder 22 so that if this device is used inconnection with an ordinarysurface navigating vessel when the' vesselsinks the sea water maypass through the passage and into the forward endof the cylmder 22 so as to exhaust the air from the rear end the head 21is driven from the rear end of the cylinder 22, whereby the bar 17 maybe automaticall withdrawn from engagement with the tan 8 thus allowingthe tank to float` 'In order to allow communication with the surface ofthe water by the occupants of the sunken boat or ship, the hollow shaft13 is by means of the the insulated-washers 25, althou h they com-Imunicate with theblocks 24 so t at thewires with the interior of thesunken ship or ves` sel, owing to the fact that the wires 27 are in turnconnected to a telephone 29 of any suitable construction which issuspended, as shown at 30 from the lower portion of the deck 2 of thesubmarine or other vessel 1.

The rescue ship 31 shown in Fig.\1, is pro- I vided with a derrick 32having the arm 33 pivotally connected thereto, and this arm 33 carries4the counterbalancing weight 34. After the air tank has been removedfrom the surface of the water the cable .15 ma be securedy to the outerend of the weig ted arm 33 and then passed over the supporting standard35 to a point within the vessel so as to allow communibation, as aboveset forth, to be had with' the occupants ojf the sunken vessel. It willseen that the function of the weighted arm 33 is to hold the cable 15taut as shown in Fig. 1 so as to cause the cable. 15 to constituteadirect guideY into the interior of the submarine or sunken vessel 1.The lifting cable 36 extends over the outer end of the bearing 32 andhas the finger 37 of. the ball 38 secured thereto. This finger 37 andball 38 are. provided4 with a 'longitudinal passage 39 through which thecable 15 may be passed when" it is being taken on to the collier orrescuing vessel-31, so lthat as the lifting cable 36 is l opening 41registering with the openings 3 formed in the deck 2, thereby allowingthe ball 38 to pass into the tank housing 9. The jaws 42 and43 arecarried upon Ithe shafts 44 extending through the plate 3 9. One of theshafts 44 has a squared portion so as to V s paid out from the collier31 the ball 38 will be direct-l allowthe particular shaft v44 tov berotated.

upper portiono the submarine and engagfgrip 45 positioned upon the.l

ing the lowerjend ofthe shaft, as shown clearlyin Figs. 5. and-6. Therear ends of the jaws 42 and 43 are racks 46 whichmesh with providedwith the i each ot her, as 180 shown in Figs. 3 and 4, so that when theshaft 44 having the squared portion is rotated by means of the grip45,the jaw 4?, will, he swung to a closed position and the meshing of theracks 46 will also swing the jaw 42 to a closed position. lt is obviousthat at this time the ball 38 will be extending partially through theopening l formed in the deck 2 of the si'ilnnarine` as shown clearly inFigs. 5 and 6, so as to allow the sockets 47 to receive the finger 37.At this time the pinion 48 resting upon ,the 'plate 39 and meshing withone 'ot the racks 47 will ,also he rotated so as to swing the pin 49carried thereby in a circle. 'lhe supporting post 50 has the slottedlink 51 pivotally mounted thereon so as to allow the pin 49 to extendthrough the slot 52 formed therein. .Mijarent the opposite' end from thepivoted end of .the link 51 there extends a second pin 53 carried bythereinforcing plate 54. This reinforcing plate 54 is passed between theshafts 44 and is held in central alinement with the sockets 47 when thejaws 42j and 43 are in a closed position. Therefore, it will be seenthat as the pinion 48 is rotated the pin 4-9 thereof will swing the freeend of the link 51 over the jaws. This action will cause the pin 53workingin the slot 5:2I to move the reinforcing plate 54 forwardly,thus' causing the plate to finally enL gage the finger `37, asshownclearly in Fig. 25, when the jaws are in a closed position, thusfurther, retaining the finger within the sockets 47 formed in the jaws4Q, and 43. After the jaws 42 and 43 have been moved to a closedposition it will be seen that the oflset forward end 55 of the jaw 43will-fit upon the' free forward end of the jaw 42, which extends in thesame plane throughout its entire length. At'this timethe locking lugs 56and 57 formed upon the forward ends of the jaws 43 and '42 respectivelywill register with each other, although the lug 56 is formed at adistancebelow the upper planeof the offset lend 55 as shown clearly l inFig. 6. At this t/me the pinion 58 keyed upon the shaft 59 may berotated by means of the grip 60 upon the interior of the sub marine 1,0f course, it will be seen that asthis pinion 58 is rotated itwill drivethe locking slide 61A owing to the fact that this ,pinion 58 meshes withthe side rack G2 i formed upon the locking slidev 6L This locking slidehas the pin 63 4passing through `the slot 64 and, furthermore, as soonas this slide passes through the retaining strap 65 it will he held in acentral position so as to .-llow offset lip 66 to fit upon the lugs- 5Gand 57, thereby positively holding the jawsy 42 and 43 from accidentallyopening or having any tendency to move in suoli a I direction. It willalso` be noted that ar re'- taining strap 67 extends across the rearends of the jaws 42 and 43, so as to allow the u'pmounted therem, whilethe ends of bothy Straps 65 and i7 are secured by means of. the rivets68 to the plate 39. It is further obvious that the upper ends of theshafts 44 and 59 may be squared as shown at 69, so that in case i; isdesired to move the reinforcing plate a: id locking slide to grip thefinger upon the outer portions of the ship, as where a dii er descends,exterior force may be supplie l by a wrench or any other suitable meansto the squared ends 69 thus moving the lock ing elements to theiositions for gripping tie finger 37, thereiiy positively `holding the`finger so as to allow the lifting cable 36 to'raise a sunken 'boat orship.

From the foregoing description it will` cally float thus jiayingthecable out so that communication :nay be had with the interior of thevessel, vhile the cable will further constitute a gui :le for directingthe lifting elements or means into the interior of the vessel. Therefcre, after this action it will be seen that the locking elements may bebrought to a lo :ked'po'sition so as to grip upon the linger of thelifting elements or means, thereby positively holding theselftingelements in engagement with the sunken ship, 'so that as power isapplied, the sunken ship may be rained to the surface and after thisaction it will be seen that the cable 15 may be rewounc upon the reel bymeans of the icrank grip 70 keyed upon the hollow shaft 13. f i

ffliat is claim ed is:

1.y In a device of the class described, the

combination of a `p1ate, said plate being Vessel sinks the float mayrise to thie surface so as to pav out said cable, said cable beingadapted to direct a ball having a finl ger downwardly into the vessel,locking jaws pivotally mounted upon said'plate,`mean s for' swingingsafd locking jaws to a closed position, and a `locking slide mountedupon said plate, said ocking slide being adapted to engage the, iorwardends of said jaws when the jaws ai e in aA closed position, therebypositivelyholi ling said jaws in a gripping engagementwiti the fingerofsaid all,

whereb as Saidfinger and ball are raised' combination ofa plate, saidplate bein tilt . carried upon said thev openin adapted to be secured tothe deck of a vesse said plate having a central opening, a'float y ateand extending through said opening into the interior of the vessel, acable carried by said float and extending into the vessel whereby whenthe vessel sinks the fioat may rise to the surface so as to allow thecable to be paid out,

'whereby aA liftin 1all and finger may be directed downwar i y alongsaid cable through formed in said plate, rotating shafts carried by saidplate, locking jaws mounted upon said shafts, said jaws havingiiiterrneshing racks at their rear ends, whereby as the shafts arerotated the jaws may be swung to a closed position, said. jaws havingsockets adapted to receive said finger, one

jaw having an upwardly offset end for fit-` ting over the remaining jawwhen the jaws are' in a closed position, whereby the finger may bepositively gripped so as to cause the sunken .boat or vessel to belifted as the finger and ball are raised.

3. In a device of the class described, the combination of a)` plate,said plate being adapte-d to be secured to the deck of a vessel, saidplate having a central opening, a float carried upon said plate andextending through said lopening into the interior of a vessel, a cablecarried by said float and extending into the vessel, whereby when thevessel sinks the fioat may rise to the surface so as to allow the cableto be -paid out, whereby a lifting ball and finger may be directeddownwardly along said cable through the opening formed in. said plate,rotating shafts carried by said plate, lockin jaws mounted upon saidshafts, said jaws aving intermeshing racks at their rear ends, wherebyas the shafts are rotated. the jaws may be swung to a closed position,said jaws having sockets adapted to receive said finger, one jaw havingan upwardly offset end for fitting over the lremaining jaw when the jawsare in. a4 closed position, a locking plate slidably mounted upon therear end of said jaws, means for simultaiieousl moving said lockingplate over the rear encfs of said jaws as the jaws are swung to a closedposition, whereby when the jaws are closed said plate may bear upon thefinger for positively reinforcing said jaws and also stably retainingthe finger. n

4. In a device of the class described, the combination of a plate, saidplate .being adapted to be secured to the deck of a vessel, said platehaving a central opening, a.

float carried upon said plate and extending through said opening intothe interior of the vessel, a cable carried by said float and extendinginto the vessel, whereby when the vessel sinks the float may rise to thesurface so .as to allow the -cable to be paidout,

whereby'a lifting ball and finger may be."

ends, whereby as the shafts are rotated the. jaws may be swung to aclosed position, said jaws having sockets being adapted to receive saidfinger, one jaw having an upwardly offset end fitting over the remainingjaw when the jaws are in a closedpositioma locking plate slidablymountedy upon the rear ends of said 'aws means for simultaneously movingsaid locking plate over the rear ends of said jaws as the jaws are swungto'ha closed position, whereby when the jaws are closed said plate maybear upon the finger for positively reinforcing said jaws for positivelyretaining the finger, and a locking slide carried upon said plate andbeing adapted to engage the forward ends of said jaws for resisting anytendency of said 'aws to swing to an open, position when the oat orvessel is, being raised by the upward movement* of said ball and finger.

.5. In a device of the class-described, the combination of a platehaving an opening, said plate bein adapted to be carried upon the deckof a s ip, a fioat normally carriedV by said plate and extending throughsaid opening into the interior of the ship, a cable carried by saidfloat and extending into the interior of the ship whereby when the fioatrises to the surface the cable will be paid out, said cable beingadapted to direct a ball and finger downwardly through the opening insaid plate, shafts rotatably mounted Y.

upon said plate, jaws keyed upon said shafts, intermesliing racks formedupon the rear ends of said aws, whereby as one shaft -is rotate f thejaws may be swung to a closed position, a pinion rotatably mounted uponsaid plate and meshing withon of said racks, a pin .carried by saidpinion, a slotted link pivotall mounted upon said plate, saidpin of saipinion extending into the slot of said link, a 'reinforcing plateslidably mounted upon the rear ends of said jaws, a pin carried by saidreinforcing plate extending through said slot of said link, whereby asthe jaws are swung to a closed position said pinion .will berotated soasto swing the free end of the reinforcing plate forwardly, whereby asthe jaws engage` the finger of said ball the reinforcing late'will alsoengage the finger. so as torein orce said jaws, whereby as the fingerand-ball are moved upwardly the sunken ship may also be raised.

6. In a devicenf the class describedhthg` combination of a late havingan; lopening, K said plate being a apted to be carried upo' 139' thedeck of a ship,

wardly through the opening of said plate.

riedjby said pinion,

shafts rotatably l'mounted upon said plate, jaws keyed to said shafts,intermeshing racks` formed upon the rear ends of said jaws, `whereby asone shaft is' rotated the Jaws may be'swung to a closed position, a

pinion rotatably carried upon said plate and meshing'fwith one of saidracks, a pin cara slotted link pivotally mounted upon said plate, saidpin of said pinion extending into said slot of said link, a reinforcingplate slidably vmounted upon the rear ends of said jaws, a pin carriedby said reinforcing plate extending' through the slot of said link,whereby as the jaws are swung to a. closed position .said-pinion will berotated so as to more the free end of the reinforcin plate forwardlythereby moving said rein oreingr plate over the innerl ends of saidjaws, whereby as the jaws engage the finger 0f said ball the reinforcing'late will also engage the finger so as to re- 'inforce the finger, andmeans for engaging the forward ends of said jaws for resisting anytendency of their accidental displacement, whereby as the finger andball are moved upwardly the sunken vessel` may be raised.

7. In a device of the class described, Vthe combination of a platehaving an opening, said plate being adapted to be carried upon the ldeckofa ship, a float normally carried by the plate and extendingr 'throughthe opening into the vessel, a cable carried by said Hoat, and extendinginto the vessel. whereby when the float rises to the surface the cablewill be paid ont. said cable being adapted to direct a liall and lingerdownwardly through the openingr of said'j'ilate. shafts rotatablymounted upon said plate.

jaws keyed upon said shafts. intermeshing racks formed upon the rearends of 'said jawswhereby as one shaft is rotated the jaws may be swungto a closed position, a pinion rotatably mounted upon Vsaid plato andmeshing;r with one ofsaid racks, a pin carried by said pinion, a slottedlink pivotallyfmounted upon said plate.. said pin of said pinionextending into the slot of said link, a reinforcing plate slidablymounted upon the rear ends of said jaws, a'pin car- .ried 'by saidreinforcing plate extending:

through the slot of said link, whereby as the jaws are swung to a closedposition said'pinion will be rotated so as to move the free end of thereinforcingr plate forwardly,

4Ithereby moving said reinforcing plate over the forward end 'of saidjaws', whereby as rcmforcin said jaws engage, the linger of said ballthe plate will also engage the finger so as to reinforce said jaws, andlugs formed upon the for rarl end of cach jaw, whereby when the jaws arein a closed position the lugs may register with each other, a. lockingslide carried upon said fioat and provided with an up "ardlj' odset end,means for inoving' said slide into engagement with said lugs. wherebysaid jaws will be positively heldiron'i accidentally swinging to 4anopen position, thereby allowing the sunken vessel to be raised as tho,finger and ball are lifted,

8. In a device il the class described, the combination ot i. pair'ogripping` jaws. means'for supporting said jaws. said jaws havinginterinesliing racks at theirinner ends, and means for swinging one ofsaid jaws toward a cloied position. whereby said racks will swing 1hrremaining jaw toward a closed position, thereby causing said jaws tosimnltaneonsly clamp upon an article.

il.. In a. device i l' 1hr. class described, the.

combination ol a pair ol' grippingr jaws. means for .snppor ing saidjaws. said jaws having intermeshinn rai-lts at their inner ends. meansior swinging one of said jaws toward a closed po :ition` whereby saidracks will swingr the remainingl jaw toward a closed position. therebycausing s'aid jaws to simultaneously"clamp upon an artic-lc, and meansmoving onta said `jaws as the jaws move to a closet.' l sition torreinforcing the jaws.

10. In a device ot the class described. the combination of ay pair ofgripping jaws. means for snpportnfg said jaws. said jaws havingintcrnieshii g1 racks at their inner ends. means for swinging one ofsaid jaws toward a closed pos tion. whereby said racks will swing thereino iningrjaw toward a closed position. thereby `ca Isin;r said jawsto similitaneonsly clamp up in an article. means for moving;` onto saidja vs as the jaws more to a close-d position for rfiniorcing the jaws,and means releasably cin-:aging the outer ends of said jaws fori-holdingsaid jaws from accidentally opening.

ll.. ln a device of the class described. the combination of a pair ofgripping jaws. means for 'snpportirg lsaid jaws. said jaws havingrintermeshim: racksat their inner ends` means for swi i'ging one of saidjaws toward a closed position. whereby said racks will swiner theremaining` jaw toward a closed position. thereby causing.` said jaws tosimultaneously clamp upon a article, reinforcing means 'parta llyfitting" upon the ine ner ends of said jaw s. and means `engaging 12. Ina. device of the class described, the combination of, a pair of gripping`jaws, means for supporting said" jaws, said jaws having interineshingracks at 'their inner ends, means for swinging one of said jaws toward aclosed vposition, thereby causing said jaws to simu taneousl clamp uponan article, and means releasa ly engaging the outer ends of said jawswhen the jaws are in a closed position for holding said jaws fromaccidentally'opening. g

13, In a device of the class described, the combination of a pair ofgripping jaws, means for supporting said jaws, means for moving saidjaws to a closed position, and reinforcing means adapted to moveontosaid jaws while the aws are being moved to aclosed position, t orebyreinforcing said jaws when strain i-s brou ht to bear upon said jaws,whereb said jaws will be held from bending or reaking.

14. In a device of the class described, the combination of a pairofgripping jaws, means for supporting said jaws, means for moving said`jaws to a closed position, rein'- forcing means adapted to move ontosaid jaws While the jaws are being moved to a closed position, therebyreinforcing said jaws when strain is brought to bear upon said jaws,whereby said jaws will be, held from bending or breaking, and meansreleasably engaging the forward ends ovsaid jaws when said jaws are in aclosed position for holding said jaws from accidentally openin 15. ign adevice of the class described, the combination of a pair of grippingjaws, means for supporting said jaws, means for, moving said jaws to aclosed position, and reinforcing means connected to' saidsecondmentioned means, said reinforcing means moving onto said jaws assaid jaws are swung to a closed position, thereby reinforcing said jawswhen supporting strain is f brought to bear thereon.

16. In a device oif'the class described, the combination of a pair ofgripping jaws, means for supporting said jaws, means for moving saidjaws to a .closed position, and means releasably engaging the forwardends of said jaws when said jaws are in aclosed i' position, therebylholding Isaid jaws from accidentally opening.

17. In a device of the class described, the combination of a pair ofgripping jaws, means for supporting said jaws, means for moving saidjaws to a closed. position, a locking slide mounted upon said first-mentioned means; said slide having a side rack,

a pinionmesliing with said rack, means for lrotatingsaid pinion,Vwhereby said lockin slide will benmoved into engagement wi theouter endsof said jaws when said jaws are closed, therebyzpositively preventingthe opening'of said jaws.

1S. In a device of the class described, the

combination of' a paii of gripping jaws,

means for supporting said jaws, means for moving said jaws to aclosed'position, said 4jaws having lugs extending from their forwardends, said lugs registering with each other when said jaws arc in aclosed position, a locking slide positioned on said first- A mentionedmeans in front of the outer ends of said jaws'when said jaws are in aclosed position, said locking slide having a rack foi-ined thereon, apinion meshing With-said rack, means for rotating said p1nion,lwhere' byas said pinion is rotated-said slide will be moved into engagement withsaid lugs for 'holding said jaws from accidentally open- In a device ofthe class described, the

ing

2(t com ination of a plate, jaws pivotally mounted upon said plate,intermeshing racks formed upon the inner ends of said jaws,

means for swinging said jawsto a. closed position, a reinforcin plateslidably mounted upon thev inner en s of said jaws, a pinion meshingwith one of said racks, and means connecting said pinion to saidreinforcingA plate, whereby as said aws are swung to a closed positionsaid reinforcing plate. will be moved toward the center of said jaws.

21. In a device of the class described, the combination of a vplate,jaws pivotally mounted upon said plate, intermeshlng racks formed uponthe inner ends of said jaws,

means for swinging said .j aws` to a closed position, a reinforcingplate slidably mounted upon the inner ends of said jaws, a pinionmeshing with one of said racks, a slotted link. pivotal-ly mounted uponsaid plate and resting upon said pinion and reinforcing plate, a pinextending from said pinion, a' -pin extending from said reinforcingplate, through -said slotted' said pins extending link, whereby as saidjaws are swung to a closed'position said reinforcing plate'will be movedtoward the centers of said plates `for reinforcing lthe same.

signature.

BENJAMIN FRANKLIN NIXQNQ In testimony whereof I hereunto aix' myl I

